Winnipeg Construction XI

[Rutlander]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

This is an important development for the city anticipated to start this year.

City of Winnipeg Archives
Location: 380 William Avenue
Developer: The City of Winnipeg
Architect: pico ARCHITECTURE inc.
Status: In development
Documents:

• Architect Summary Report-April 15, 2021
• ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
• Archives Program Facility Requirements

Media:

• Increased cost of storing city archives worth it: mayor–Winnipeg Free Press
• Province won’t chip in to restore Winnipeg archives–Winnipeg Free Press

Description: The City of Winnipeg Archives are planned to be rehoused in the historic Carnegie Library on William Avenue, their original home before a 2013 flood forced their relocation to a warehouse on Myrtle Street. In March 2023, the city’s property committee approved a $12.6 million budget for the restoration of the Carnegie Library to create a new archives centre. The project includes designing a private viewing area for sensitive materials, such as residential school records, to allow families a space for emotional privacy. An additional $6.6 million price increase was included in the 2025 City budget to cover the added cost to renovate the Carnegie Library. The renovation will feature advanced storage and preservation Systems, climate-controlled storage vaults, upgraded mechanical and electrical systems to provide temperature and humidity-controlled environments, essential for preserving irreplaceable records, including photographs, maps, and documents dating back to 1873. Construction to renovate the site will begin in 2025 and will likely wrap up in 2027. This move aims to improve public access, which has been limited at the Myrtle Street location, and to preserve the city’s 150-year history, including historic photos, maps, council minutes, and government documents, in a more suitable facility. The initiative coincides with Winnipeg’s 150th anniversary celebrations, emphasizing the importance of its archival heritage.
Permits:

Thanks for posting this. I have fond memories of my mom taking me to the old library here as a young child. It spurred a love of books and architecture. Great to see it getting a new life in the near future.